Gaming Stone

[mangum]

Hello All! I found this on a path this weekend at one of my usual arrowhead/colonial relic spots. I initially thought it was a marble but a friend told me its a Native American gaming stone. It does appear to be clay(which I told him). If I'm wrong feel free to correct me. This was found in Northern NC Piedmont. I'm sure NC field hunter can add some insight as well. Thanks for looking & HH!

 

Amazon Forum Fav 👍

Agony and Death on a Gold Rush Steamer: The Disastrous Sinking of the Side-Wheeler Yankee Blade - Grab it through Amazon!

[The Grim Reaper]

More than likely just a Clay Marble which is early settlers and brought over from Europe. Still a cool find.

 

[NC field hunter]

These I have always loved, but know little about. They seem to be found all over. I wish I could determine who made which ones. Hopefully someone will help us both out on these. Nice find no matter who, when or where!

 

[vpnavy]

Neat find mangum.

 

[The Grim Reaper]

Here's some info on them.

Marble Identification

iMarbles! - History of Marbles

 

[catherine1]

Not large enough to be a game ball stone. Thanks for the view.

 

[wvwildman]

you sure its not a lead ball ?

 

[mangum]

you sure its not a lead ball ?

Definitely clay.

 

[NC field hunter]

Definitely clay.

I have one just like it. I can vouch for it being clay.

 

[GatorBoy]

I have found some on early pioneer sites and also old home sites here in Florida made of the same exact kaolin type clay material brought over from Europe.
Settlers also made them from whatever material was available for their children.. especially those who did not have the money to purchase the ones shipped overseas.

 

[GatorBoy]

These are kaolin clay pipe bowls..these pipes were shipped from Britain and found on an 1835 military fort in Florida.


View attachment ForumRunner_20130528_233340.png

 

[mangum]

I found these interesting archaeological articles online. Native Americans had marbles or rolled clay balls as well. I'm not sure if this is pipe clay as it really isn't smooth at all but I'm by no means an expert. This site has produced numerous Native American & colonial artifacts so this is definitely interesting.

http://twipa.blogspot.com/2011/06/marvelous-marbles-or-dial-m-for-marbles.html?m=1

http://shelbylanderson.com/2013/02/05/clay-marbles/

 

[GatorBoy]

If they are made from the same clay and temper material as the native American pottery of your area then they could be one of the comparativly rare Native examples..sure.. if not.. very likely one of the thousands of white man marbles is far more likely. I'm pretty sure they wouldn't get differt material just to roll into balls.
Look at the temper material also.
It won't be smooth unless fine grain sand or chalk from from the large beds located close to the kaolin clay deposits.

 

[rock]

Nice find, I like it.